Traveling to Spain anytime soon? Not only will the sites and the great weather amaze you, but you are in for an even bigger treat when it comes to food. Whether you are looking for a Michelin star restaurant or some cheap tapas, Barcelona has it all. Each region of Spain is known for its specialty of food, so don’t leave without trying it all. Here is a list of the top 8 foods that you must try in Spain.

Paella

No Spain vacation is complete without trying a fresh plate of paella. This rice and seafood dish is the number one food that Barcelona is known for and can be found at most major restaurants. They also offer chicken paella or strictly vegetables if you are a vegetarian! If you want to taste the best, here is a guide to the best Paella in Barcelona.

Tapas

When arriving in Spain, tapas and sangria should be the first meal you sit down to. If you don’t know what they are, tapas are small dishes of food that are typically served with drinks. They are the most common Spanish meal and can be found in every city across the country. The best way to get a real feel for Spain is to come hungry and order a lot! The plates are small and super cheap so make sure you order a few!

Patatas Bravas

This dish is very common in tapas bars and goes very well with a cold beer. Patatas bravas are cut up cubed potatoes that are baked in oil to give them the perfect crunch. They are then topped off with spicy tomato sauce. These are one of the most commonly ordered tapas, and you can taste why.

Jamón

Jamón is a classic piece of the Spanish diet. If you are unsure what this is, think prosciutto but half the price and just as good. This dish is served in every tapas bar and can be paired with bread, cheese or a piece of melon (my fav). Restaurants and stands also offer to-go cups of Jamón and cheese, so make sure to grab one as you explore the city.

Pa amb Tomaquet

Pa amb Tomaquet, a staple part of the Spanish diet. If you’re a fan of bruschetta, this is a good choice for you. You will find this in every restaurant as it is hands down one of the most popular foods in Spain. This dish varies a bit between restaurants but it consists of baked bread, tomatoes and olive oil. So yummy.

Tortilla De Patatas

These Spanish omelets are found all throughout Spain and are made from egg, potato, onion, garlic, and olive oil. They are many times served cold as an appetizer, but are even better when they are hot. It’s super delicious and is a must try. These can be found at most tapas restaurants!

Olive Oil

You have never really tasted olive oil until you come to Spain. This is pretty much used in every form of cooking but tastes even better with just a piece of bread. All throughout the city you can find stores that offer premium olive oil. This is personally one of my favorite foods in Barcelona and you absolutely cannot look it over.

Sangria

Your Spanish vacation doesn’t really begin until you order a pitcher or two of sangria. This sweet alcoholic beverage is filled with red wine and fruit and brandy… what could be better? Pretty much every restaurant will offer this drink, in many different forms too! Although it is not super common among locals, is it essential for people coming through.

I mean if you’re in London for the weekend; obviously you have to eat cake for breakfast at least once. On our second morning in the city, we made our way across town to the infamous Peggy Porschen Cake Shop. As we approached the bakery, it was very clear this place was designed for an Instagram influencer.

It’s about a five minute stop for Victoria Station, and incredibly easy to spot. As you approach, girls are lined up outside waiting to take pictures. The pink ambiance and flowers are designed to perfection. I visited during the last weekend of January, so the shop was already set up and ready for Valentines Day. Everything in the bakery is incredibly picturesque, almost like a dream. Pink lush cupcakes, heart-shaped cookies, and amazing designed cakes.

The downside- the cake is honestly not spectacular. We ordered one slice of vanilla cloud cake and a second piece of dark chocolate truffle cake. In most situations, I am more of a vanilla type of girl, but the chocolate truffle cake was MUCH better. We also ordered pink champagne, cupcakes, coffee, tea, and a hot chocolate. The hot chocolate was easily the best thing we ordered. We’re talking a huge cup of warm, rich, dark hot chocolate. Yum.

Although I was not impressed by the food, I would totally recommend this place for the atmosphere. I would suggest arriving somewhat early to avoid the hectic Instagram frenzy. We got there at about 11 and it was just starting to get packed (and it was a weekday.)

Lastly, be prepared to pay for the ambiance… because it is not cheap. My hot chocolate was like 8 US dollars, so as a college student, that’s quite a lot. We got a very cute table outside and was entertained by the photo-shoots happening before us. Some people came with tripods, took pictures and left without buying anything. Hahaha I’m not sure I would stoop to that level, but that is also an option.

So next time you’re in London and need a cute Instagram picture, this is your place.